Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Motorists should be aware of roadworks at Knaresborough which are causing delays during rush hour.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Roadworks in Knaresborough are causing delays for drivers during the morning rush hour.

Yesterday, motorists reported queues of more than an hour on the A59 near the junction with the A658.

Yorkshire Water has put in place four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

The lights will remain in place until November 11. Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Meanwhile, work to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The scheme requires the road to be closed and a diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

It was expected that the work will be carried out until December 9.

Meanwhile, roadworks are also set to be implemented on Wetherby Road in Harrogate from Monday as temporary traffic lights are put in place.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until October 28.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Trains and buses

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on the 7 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Harrogate district MPs backing clear favourite as new PM set to be confirmed

Two Harrogate district MPs look to have backed the right candidate with the announcement of the next Prime Minister set to be made later today.

Rishi Sunak is on course to win the Conservative leadership contest after Boris Johnson withdrew from the race last night.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, and Julian Smith, Skipton and Ripon MP, are among the 155 MPs who have declared their support for the former chancellor.

Penny Mordaunt, who is also running for the leadership, currently has the support of 25 MPs.

Writing on his Community News website, Mr Jones said on Friday:

“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country.

“He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics. He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.”

Nigel Adams, Selby and Ainsty MP which includes rural Harrogate, had backed Johnson for the leadership before the former Prime Minister withdrew from the race.

General Election calls

It comes as opposition parties, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, have called for a General Election to be held.

The Stray Ferret asked the Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative party what it made of the current situation in Parliament and whether it supported the suggestion of an election being held.

A spokesperson for the local party said:

“Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association is here to serve its members who hold a wide range of views and opinions.

“We strongly support democracy and believe general elections should take place when called through the appropriate channels.

“It is our understanding that the election timetable is already published unless the government of the day makes alternative arrangements.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Roadworks on a main route near Pateley Bridge are set to start today which may cause delays for drivers.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district during rush hour this morning.

However, some roadworks on key routes across the district are set to start.

Work to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is expected to start today.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

It was expected that the work will be carried out until December 9.

Meanwhile, roadworks are also set to be implemented on Wetherby Road in Harrogate from Monday as temporary traffic lights are put in place.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until October 28.

Motorists should be aware of temporary traffic lights on Skipton Road.

North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out work to replace light columns on the road. According to the authority’s roadworks map, the lights will be in place until October 25.

Trains and buses

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 1B, 1C and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Police appeal for ‘key witness’ after Starbeck assault

Police have appealed for a key witness to come forward after a 19-year-old man was assaulted in Starbeck.

The man was attacked by four teenage boys while walking across Belmont Park towards Wentworth Close on August 31 between 4.30pm and 5pm. He had to go to hospital with an eye injury.

A teenage girl intervened in the assault and the teenagers walked away.

As part of an investigation into the assault, officers are appealing for the girl to come forward.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“There is no further description of the suspects, but the victim recalls one of the teenage boys was carrying a blue tooth speaker at the time of the assault.

“As well as appealing for the key witness to get in touch, officers are also asking for any information or private CCTV footage that could help to identify the suspects.

“If you can help the investigation, please email jemma.grant@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Jemma Grant.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220156586 when providing details.”

Harrogate Porsche driver jailed for causing death of cyclist

A Porsche driver has been jailed today after causing the death of a cyclist on the A168 near Boroughbridge.

James Bryan, 37, was rushing to get some shopping for his parents on May 10, 2020, when his Porsche Carrera 911 ploughed into the back of a bicycle ridden by married father-of-two Andrew Jackson, 36, York Crown Court heard.

Bryan was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial in September. However, he admitted causing death by careless driving.

He appeared for sentencing at York Crown Court this morning, where he was jailed for nine months.

‘Distracted by something’

During the trial, which began last month, prosecutor Anne Richardson alleged that in the moments before the crash at Allerton Park, Mr Bryan must have been distracted by “something” because Mr Jackson was clearly visible.

She claimed that evidence showed he must have been looking at, scrolling through, or reading posts on social media.

Mr Bryan had taken cocaine and been drinking at his friend’s house in Cheshire the night before the fatal collision at Rabbit Hill Park.

A roadside test in the aftermath of the crash showed that although he wasn’t over the limit for either drink or drugs, there were traces of cocaine, or a cocaine breakdown product, in his system.

Ms Richardson claimed that Bryan, who celebrated his 35th birthday just two days before the accident, would have been impaired by the drugs in his system and from being hungover and tired from the alcohol and festivities the night before.

He was on his way to drop off some groceries at his parents’ house who were isolating during the covid lockdown when the accident occurred at about 1.40pm.

Bryan, of St Mary’s Avenue, Harrogate, was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He denied the allegation but admitted causing death by careless driving in that he didn’t leave enough room to drive around the bicycle.

Defence barrister Sophia Dower claimed that Bryan was in a “fit and proper state” to drive and was not using his phone at the time of the crash.

She claimed Mr Jackson’s bike had veered right from the edge of the road into the path of Mr Bryan’s black Porsche, and that her client “didn’t have enough time to react”.

The off-duty doctor who was at the scene said Mr Jackson had suffered a serious head injury and his helmet was broken.

Police knock ‘changed our lives forever’

Andrew Jackson

During the sentencing hearing today, a victim impact statement from Mr Jackson’s father, Paul Jackson, was read in court.

Mr Jackson said he and his wife, Ruth, can remember the knock on the door from police which he said “changed our lives forever”.

He said:

“He was only 36 years old when he was killed. He was in the prime of his life.”

Mr Jackson added that he and his wife “found it difficult to express how the loss has affected us”.

Mr Jackson’s wife, Jenny, told the court today Andrew was her “best friend and team mate” and that it was “so hard not having him around”.

She said:

“My children should be growing up to know what it feels like to be hugged by their father.”

In mitigation, Bryan’s defence said the defendant had expressed remorse and had suffered from “fragile mental health”.

Ms Dower said he had suffered from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder since the crash.

She said:

“If Mr Bryan could turn back the clock, he would do it in a heartbeat.

“Whatever sentence this court imposes today, we all know that Mr Bryan is going to have to live the rest of his life knowing that his careless driving killed Mr Jackson.”

Sentencing Bryan, Judge Simon Hickey said that Mr Jackson was “there to be seen” and not at fault for the collision.

Judge Hickey said a combination of tiredness and “interaction with a device” led to Bryan hitting Mr Jackson.

He said:

“That is why you hit Mr Jackson from behind.

“No blame is attached to him… because of your inattention he could have been avoided.”

Bryan was jailed for nine months, of which he will serve half before being released.

He was also disqualified for two years and ordered to pass an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.

Sneak Peek: Cheers! New Harrogate craft beer bar opens today

Craft beer lovers in Harrogate can rejoice as a new town centre bar is set to open today.

Husk Beer Emporium and Bar, which is situated on Station Square, will showcase local and UK wide beers.

Joint owners Danny Duckworth and Tom Gill opted for the venture as a natural progression from their shop on Kings Road.

Mr Duckworth told the Stray Ferret that the pair felt the time was right to move towards opening a bar.

Husk

He said:

“We have had the shop for three years and we like to think that has created the awareness of world beer in Harrogate.”

Food, drink and an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of beers

The bar will sell food and drink, including a draught line with everything from German lager to hazy pale ales.

For Mr Duckworth, part of the reason for setting up to bar was to create a place which will also offer affordable, interesting beers.

Husk

Three of the draughts on sale will be under £5, enabling people who may not normally opt for a craft beer to be able to try them.

Those who are enthusiastic about their beers will also be to try the “Aladdin’s cave” of unique brews downstairs.

Customers will be able to design their own grilled cheese sandwiches, while cocktail lovers can sample a range of drinks.

Dogs and children will also be welcome in Husk.

In the long-term, there is also an ambition to put live music on for those who like songs to go with their craft beer.

Crucially for Danny, the aim of the new bar is to create a place for everyone to drink – not just beer enthusiasts.

He said:

“We wanted to create a place where we would want to drink.”

Husk Beer Emporium and Bar will be open from midday today.

Consultation launched over £540m North Yorkshire devolution deal

People across the Harrogate district will be asked from today for their views on a historic £540 million devolution deal for North Yorkshire.

In August, county council leaders agreed the long-awaited deal with ministers to devolve more powers, including an elected mayor, to North Yorkshire and York.

The deal will see £18 million year worth of funding devolved to the county over 30 years.

Now, as part of the process to bring more powers to North Yorkshire, the public, businesses and charity organisations will be asked for their thoughts on the deal.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“We really need the public to come forward and give us their views on what is important to them and how devolution can benefit communities and businesses across York and North Yorkshire.

“The chance to secure these decision-making powers and millions of pounds in funding from the government is set to prove a life-changing opportunity for more than 800,000 people who live and work in York and North Yorkshire.

“Devolution will give local leaders the chance to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing people in York and North Yorkshire – whether that be providing more affordable housing, improving skills and education for better job opportunities, boosting transport infrastructure or tackling the climate crisis.”

Pictured: Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Greg Clark MP and Cllr Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council sign the document.

Meanwhile, Helen Simpson, chair of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“This is a historic moment for York and North Yorkshire and creates the opportunity to deliver long-term investment to support business growth.

“I’d like to invite business leaders across the region to contribute to this consultation.”

Consultation on the deal will run until Friday, December 16. People can have their say at the York and North Yorkshire Devolution website here.

What is in the deal?

As part of the devolution deal, a mayoral combined authority would be formed with a directly-elected mayor by May 2024.

It would mirror similar arrangements in the Tees Valley, where Conservative mayor Ben Houchen oversees the combined authority.

While the planned North Yorkshire deal brings £540 million worth of investment funding, it is lower than the original £750 million requested by local leaders.

However, more power over skills and transport will be devolved.

It will see whoever is elected mayor and the new combined authority have control over the adult education budget and the ability to draw up its own transport strategy.

Control over bus franchising has also been granted to the county and the power to set up Mayoral Development Corporations, which have the power to buy land for housing or employment to regenerate a defined area.

Much of the deal echoes what was given to Tees Valley in 2015, where mayor Houchen has since exercised his economic development powers to buy Teesside International Airport and Redcar Steelworks.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Roadworks on main routes in Harrogate and near Pateley Bridge are set to start next week.

Meanwhile, drivers should be aware of works which may cause delays in Harrogate this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Work to to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is expected to start on Monday (October 24).

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

It was expected that the work will be carried out until December 9.

Further roadworks will be implemented on Wetherby Road in Harrogate from Monday as temporary traffic lights are put in place.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until October 28.

Meanwhile, traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district during rush hour this morning.

Motorists should be aware of temporary traffic lights which are expected to be put in place on Skipton Road.

North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out work to replace light columns on the road. According to the authority’s roadworks map, the lights will be in place until October 25.

Trains and buses

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 7 and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Liz Truss resignation: Harrogate district reaction

Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister today after just 44 days in office.

See how the Harrogate district reacted to the news this afternoon.

5.01pm – Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems still searching for candidate

The lengthy process to find a prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough remains ongoing.

The local party called today for an election but as yet it doesn’t have anyone to take on Conservative Andrew Jones.

It said in June it had started the process but four months on the matter remains unresolved.

David Goode, chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems, said

“We are moving at pace to select a parliamentary candidate. It is a rigorous process for a target seat but be in no doubt we are planning to fight Harrogate and Knaresborough to win at the next election, whenever that maybe. We need a MP who will work for us, not just trot along behind the government.”

Monika Slater, a Lib Dem who represents Bilton Grange and New Park on North Yorkshire County Council, said

“Boris Johnson failed our country and Liz Truss trashed our economy.

“People in Harrogate and Knaresborough deserve better than this incompetent and chaotic government, which has sent mortgages spiralling while our NHS services are stretched to breaking point.

“The Conservative party have proven time and time again they are not fit to lead our great country.

“This country needs a general election and Andrew Jones and other Conservative MP’s cannot prop up more chaotic Governments.

“At the next election people across Harrogate and Knaresborough will be backing the Liberal Democrats to get a fair deal on the NHS and the cost of living instead of more Conservative chaos.”

4.35pm – Andrew Jones MP: Truss departure ‘inevitable’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has published a statement on his Community News website.

Mr Jones said:

“As difficult as today is for her it has, I’m afraid, been inevitable and it is the national interest that matters.

“It was an enormous and unforced error to bring forward the mini-Budget without an assessment by the Office of Budget Responsibility and an accompanying statement on departmental spending.

“It was a mistake for her to surround herself with just supporters and not form a broader-based team.

“Ms Truss began to undo the damage with the appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Chancellor who jettisoned a lot of the mistakes she had made, calmed the markets and emphasised the need for stability.

“But the personal damage to her was done and too severe for her to have any hope of recovery. It has felt in parliament that over the last week her authority had been seeping away. That is why she had to go.”

Mr Jones, who said there was “plenty to be positive about here in Harrogate and Knaresborough” when the government announced its mini-budget last month, did not reveal who he supports as a successor.

But he said whoever it is “needs to bring on board all the talents available to them, adding:

“Our politics and our country need a period of calm stability and I look forward, at last, to that being delivered.”

4.17pm – Could North Yorkshire be home to the Prime Minister by next Friday?

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak is the clear bookies’ favourite to succeed Liz Truss as Prime Minister. Oddschecker currently has him at 10/11, with Penny Mordaunt second favourite at 11-4. But the odds against third favourite Boris Johnson have been slashed to 9-2.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith both supported Mr Sunak in the leadership contest against Liz Truss.

3.50pm – Nigel Adams ‘not doing any media at the moment’

Minutes after posting that none of the local Conservative MPs had replied to us, one of them responded. But it isn’t exactly hold-the-front-page stuff.

Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams’ senior parliamentary assistant emailed to say:

“Nigel is not doing any media at the moment.”

3.41pm – Silence from Harrogate district MPs

We asked the three Conservative MPs whose constituencies include parts of the Harrogate district whether Liz Truss was right to resign and who they supported to be her successor.

We asked Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams to reply by 3.30pm today. So far none has replied.

3.06pm – Are local opposition parties ready to fight an election?

Local Liberal Democrats and Harrogate supporters have been quick to call for an election but would they be ready to fight one?

Currently only the Green Party has a prospective parliamentary candidate to take on Andrew Jones in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

We have asked the Liberal Democrats and Labour for details of their search to find PPCs and will report their responses.

2.50pm – Yorkshire Party calls for end to ‘London-centric’ politics

The Yorkshire Party says ‘Yorkshire has been left to fend for itself’.

https://twitter.com/Yorkshire_Party/status/1582825610136588288

2.33pm – Tories ‘have lost mandate to govern,’ says Green PPC.

Paul Ko Ferrigno, the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Green Party in Harrogate and Knaresborough, has added his voice to calls for an election. He said:

“The Conservatives are unable to govern themselves and have lost any mandate to govern the country.

“People are worried about the cost of fuel and the cost of energy and rising mortgage rates and rising inflation and their dwindling quality of life.

“We don’t need another week of Tory navel gazing, we need a General Election and a government that puts people first.”

2.11pm – Ripon-based Lib Dem leader in House of Lords calls for election

Dick Newby, the Liberal Democrat peer and party leader in the House of Lords, has tweeted for an election.

The Conservatives no longer have any shred of credibility left. Their MPs should do their patriotic duty and call a general election. https://t.co/i7iTru5ReT

— Dick Newby (@RichardNewby3) October 20, 2022

2.05pm – Harrogate Labour campaigner calls for election

Chris Watt, local Harrogate Labour party campaigner, has also called for an election.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The Tory government are a shambles. They’ve trashed the economy and presided over 12 years of stagnation.

“They can keep changing their leader but we need a change of government.

“The choice is clear: more of this incompetent Tory government, which the MP here has consistently supported. Or a Labour Government led by Keir Starmer. We need a General Election now so the people can decide.”

He has also been tweeting:

The Tories can keep changing leader but we need a change of Government and a General Election now. @UKLabour stands ready to serve.

BBC News – Liz Truss resigns as prime minister after Tory revolthttps://t.co/CyaXUp9Lky

— Chris Watt (@ChrisWatt4) October 20, 2022

2pm – Call from Liberal Democrats for General Election

Skipton and Ripon Liberal Democrats have called for a General Election following the departure of Liz Truss.

https://twitter.com/SkiptonRiponLD/status/1583077632979062784?s=20&t=yOrqpSznmcwOkHCPUYvvNA

1.55pm – Harrogate politicians reaction

Following the announcement of the resignation of Liz Truss, the Stray Ferret has contacted the Harrogate district’s three Conservative MPs for their reaction.

We have also contacted opposition parties for their thoughts on this afternoon’s news.

Man arrested after intruder breaks into Harrogate district house

A man has been arrested following two burglaries in a village near Boroughbridge

North Yorkshire Police said they responded to a report of a man breaking into a house in Marton-cum-Grafton in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The suspect broke into the house while the owner was asleep, but later fled after the occupant woke up and startled them.

The man was later arrested after officers found them in a hedgerow nearby.

Later, police received reports of garden tools being stolen from a property nearby.

A man in his 40s from Barnsley was arrested on suspicion of burglary. Enquiries are ongoing for both incidents.

Roads

Trains and buses

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General Election calls

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Roads

Trains and buses

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‘Distracted by something’

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Police knock ‘changed our lives forever’

Food, drink and an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of beers

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What is in the deal?

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Roads

Trains and buses

5.01pm – Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems still searching for candidate

4.35pm – Andrew Jones MP: Truss departure ‘inevitable’

4.17pm – Could North Yorkshire be home to the Prime Minister by next Friday?

3.50pm – Nigel Adams ‘not doing any media at the moment’

3.41pm – Silence from Harrogate district MPs

3.06pm – Are local opposition parties ready to fight an election?

2.50pm – Yorkshire Party calls for end to ‘London-centric’ politics

2.33pm – Tories ‘have lost mandate to govern,’ says Green PPC.

2.11pm – Ripon-based Lib Dem leader in House of Lords calls for election

2.05pm – Harrogate Labour campaigner calls for election

2pm – Call from Liberal Democrats for General Election

1.55pm – Harrogate politicians reaction

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